toát
Definition
Verb:
- To exude, to pour out (of sweat): To flow out abundantly, primarily used for sweat.
- To emanate, to radiate (of an abstract quality): To express or reveal an inner feeling, spirit, or quality.
Particle:
- Entirely, completely: An intensifying word placed after the adjectives "lạnh" (cold) or "trắng" (white) to emphasize a state affecting the whole thing or body.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- Anh ấy vận động mạnh khiến mồ hôi toát ra. (He exercised vigorously, causing sweat to pour out.)
- Tác phẩm này toát lên tinh thần lạc quan. (This work emanates an optimistic spirit.)
Particle:
- Cơn gió đêm khiến tôi lạnh toát. (The night wind made me feel completely cold.)
- Căn phòng trống trải, tường quét vôi trắng toát. (The room was bare, with walls painted entirely white.)
Advanced Usage
"toát mồ hôi": to break out in a sweat (from heat, effort, or fear).
- Nghe tin đó, anh ta sợ toát mồ hôi. (Hearing that news, he broke out in a cold sweat.)
"toát yếu": (in formal/document context) a summary or abstract.
- Hãy đọc phần toát yếu của báo cáo trước. (Please read the summary of the report first.)
Variants and Related Words
- Đổ mồ hôi (v): to sweat. A more common, general synonym for perspiring.
- Bốc lên (v): to rise up, to emit (often for smell, steam). Can be conceptually related in the sense of something coming out.
- Thấm (v): to seep, to permeate. Contrasts with "toát" as it implies a slower, more gradual absorption or emission.
Synonyms
- Exude: to discharge slowly and steadily.
- Emanate: to flow out, to originate from a source.
- Radiate: to emit energy, light, or a quality.
Related Idioms
Toát mồ hôi hột: to sweat bullets; to be extremely scared or nervous.
- Bài kiểm tra khó đến mức học sinh toát mồ hôi hột. (The test was so difficult the students were sweating bullets.)
Lạnh toát sống lưng: to send a chill down one's spine; to feel a sudden cold fear.
- Câu chuyện ma khiến tôi lạnh toát sống lưng. (The ghost story sent a chill down my spine.)